Getting Started

Getting Started

The people of Çatalhöyük used painting tools from materials that could be found in their
natural environment. Common materials probably
included sticks or reeds for paint brush handles or
hair from *boars* for bristles. People also used
small rags dipped in the paint to smear large areas of the mural
with paint.

Make Your Own Çatalhöyük Brushes:

1. Find some hair, either from an animal or fake hair. Find
sticks, twigs, or reeds that will work as a paint brush
handle.
*Remember that detailed painting requires
small brushes. You may want to make a variety of sizes.

2. Attach some hair to the end of a stick. Wrap the twine or
string around the hair to hold it in place.

3. Use
pieces of cloth or rags as brushes. Dip the rags into
containers of paint. This works well for covering large
areas with color.

4. Set up mural space. Using
masking tape, put the large banner paper on the wall. Be
careful. Do not get any paint on the wall. If this is a
concern, tape newspapers around the edges between the
banner paper and the wall. Keep in mind that tempera paint
will run. Be cautious and do not apply too much paint at
one time. If this is a concern, this project can also me
done with the banner paper on the floor. The people of
Çatalhöyük, however, painted directly on the walls rather
than installing the finished murals to the wall.